In Carlos Alcaraz announced a split with his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, ahead of the 2026 season. The World No.1's decision to end the successful seven-year partnership has shocked the tennis world, especially after the Spaniard enjoyed his best season on the tour in 2025.The World No.1 started coaching under Juan Carlos Ferrero, the 2003 French Open winner, after turning pro in 2018. The partnership proved to be one of the most successful among the current generation, with the Spaniard winning 24 ATP singles titles, including six majors, the second-most among active male players.In 2025, Carlos Alcaraz enjoyed his best season, where he won eight titles, including two majors and three Masters, to finish as the Year-End No.1. With the 2026 season approaching fast, Alcaraz and Ferrero stunned the world with the announcement of their mutual split on Wednesday, December 17.The 22-year-old shared his decision with a post on X, where he thanked Ferrero, whom he considers a "Second Father"."Now times of change are coming for both of us, new adventures and new projects," Alcaraz wrote. "But I’m certain we’ll face them the right way, giving our best, as we’ve always done. Always adding up.""I wish you all the best from the heart in everything that comes. I’m left with the peace of mind of knowing we didn’t hold anything back, that we gave everything we had for each other. Thank you for everything, Juanki," he added.Juan Carlos Ferrero also announced a split on Instagram. The former World No.1 shared a few pictures of celebrating Carlos Alcaraz's success and wrote:"we have been an incredible team despite the difficulties, and I am sure you will continue to achieve great success. I wish I could have continued. I am convinced that good memories and good people always find a way to cross paths again. Thank you from the bottom of my heart." View this post on Instagram Instagram PostMeanwhile, Juan Carlos Ferrero won the ATP Coach of the Year award in 2022 and shared the 2025 award with Samuel Lopez, who joined the team in December of the previous year.Samuel Lopez knows what I want for Carlos Alcaraz: Juan Carlos FerreroJuan Carlos Ferrero and Samuel Lopez won the ATP Coach of the Year 2025 on December 11, as the Spanish duo helped Carlos Alcaraz to the ATP Year-End No.1 title. Ferrero created history as he became the first coach to win this award twice, and lauded Lopez's immediate impact on the team.Earlier in 2024, Samuel Lopez led Carlos Alcaraz's team at the Australian Open when Ferrero missed out due to surgery. Lopez coached Pablo Carreno Busta from 2015 to 2024 and is expected to take Ferrero's role as Alcaraz's main coach in 2026.Ferrero lauded Lopez after the duo won the ATP Coach of the Year award, saying (via ATP):“I’m so happy with the award. I was in no doubt that Samuel would fit our working philosophy really well, because we’ve been working together for many years and he knows exactly what I want for Carlos [Alcaraz]. He’s done great work from the start.”Carlos Alcaraz is expected to play two exhibition matches before kicking off his 2026 season at the Australian Open, starting on January 17.